Chapter 10: What Are You Staring At? Go Cook Already!
Early the next morning.
Zen'in Shinsuke stood bare-chested in the courtyard, training under the rising sun.
Even though Heavenly Restriction had already gifted him an absurdly powerful body, he never slacked off on his training.
The cultivation method recorded in his manual was simple:
First, one needed a body free of cursed energy, yet strong enough to withstand the strain.
Then, train relentlessly—push the body to the brink of collapse. At that breaking point, faint traces of Qi and blood energy would naturally be born. With Heavenly Restriction's heightened perception, one could guide this energy into the acupoints, nourishing them.
Otherwise, the energy would simply dissipate.
Simple in theory. Brutal in practice.
For someone like Shinsuke, it was especially difficult. His body was too strong—reaching exhaustion was almost impossible. Often, before he even reached his limit, Heavenly Restriction's recovery would already restore his stamina.
That was why, after so many years, he had only managed to fill three acupoints.
"Huuh… huuuh…"
In the yard, Shinsuke dropped into push-ups, his body moving so fast he blurred into an afterimage, pounding the ground like a human pile driver. Any wealthy widow who walked by would probably go weak in the knees.
This was his method: burn energy faster than his regeneration could keep up, forcing himself into true exhaustion.
Back overseas, he relied on heavy weights for training. But having just returned, he hadn't prepared any equipment yet.
"Grrr…"
Meanwhile, by the wall connecting to the Zen'in estate, a small figure peeked from behind a tree. Big curious eyes watched the monstrous man train, shielding against the gusts of wind stirred up by his movements.
Half an hour passed before Shinsuke finally felt a hint of fatigue. His body, soaked in sweat, flushed with heat as the energy of blood and flesh began to rise, threading into his acupoints to be nourished.
"Phew…"
Exhaling hot air, he stood upright. Already, his stamina was recovering at an absurd speed—like a perpetual motion machine.
And people still claimed that the body Heavenly Restriction gave was something any sorcerer could achieve with enough effort? What a joke.
Did they even understand Heavenly Restriction?
Even his brother Toji hadn't fully unlocked its potential.
"…Kid, what are you doing hiding behind that tree?"
Shinsuke walked toward the courtyard wall.
He had noticed the little spy from the very start.
Startled, Zen'in Maki stepped out, tilting her head back to meet his gaze. Her big, watery eyes locked on this man who seemed more like a monster than human.
"I… I was just passing by."
Of course, that was a lie. Everyone in the Zen'in clan knew this courtyard belonged to Zen'in Shinsuke. The fact that it hadn't been demolished was already a token gesture of respect toward the clan head. Normally, no one would set foot here.
Only someone like Maki—constantly bullied and marginalized—would wander to such a place.
But she hadn't expected to actually find someone here. And not just anyone, but the same man from yesterday—the cousin with no cursed energy.
Shinsuke crouched down, placing a large hand on her small shoulder, squeezing slightly.
"Hm. Not a complete weakling."
Feeling her bone structure, he made a rough judgment.
Her cursed energy was faint, almost negligible. But correspondingly, her physical body was stronger than an ordinary person's. Not Heavenly Restriction level, but close.
A watered-down version, in a sense.
"This place is taken. Don't come here again."
He pinched her cheek lightly before turning back toward the house.
Zen'in Maki touched her cheek, still red from Shinsuke's pinch. She stared at his retreating back in silence, then turned and ran home.
She had to figure it out—why did the clan members who mocked her tremble in fear at him?
---
After washing up, Shinsuke went to find Toji. Without bothering to explain, he grabbed his brother and dragged him along.
"Hurry up. Don't make me beat you."
"Quit pulling me. I know the way," Toji snapped, irritation all over his face. But beneath it was a flicker of nerves. He had originally decided to stay out of his kids' lives—just dump them on the Zen'in clan and walk away. But now, with Shinsuke around, ignoring them suddenly didn't feel like an option anymore.
Shinsuke ignored his grumbling. Instead, he spent his last bit of money on fruit and milk.
Kids need proper nutrition if they're going to grow.
Following Toji through a twisting alley, they climbed a narrow stairway and stopped at a modest door.
"This the place?"
Toji gave a curt nod, silent.
Knock, knock, knock.
The door creaked open. A boy with spiky hair glared up at them, eyes full of suspicion.
"Who are you?"
"…Uh."
Shinsuke's mouth twitched. He shot Toji a sidelong glance.
Seriously? How long has it been since you've seen your own kid? He doesn't even recognize you. Pathetic… though, I'll admit, kind of funny.
"It's me," Toji said flatly, looking down at Fushiguro Megumi.
Megumi frowned, studying him like he was trying to piece something together.
"Megumi, who's at the door?"
A clear voice came from inside. A girl older than Megumi hurried over, still wearing a cooking apron. She peeked out and froze.
"…Dad? You came back?"
Fushiguro Tsumiki blinked in confusion. Wasn't this stepfather supposed to have run off with her mom? Why was he here now? Did he blow through his money and come back to take whatever was left?
Before the awkward silence grew heavier, Shinsuke stepped in with a smile, holding out the fruit.
"Hello. I'm your dad's older brother. You can call me Uncle."
"Uncle…?" Tsumiki repeated, baffled, but she politely accepted the fruit and opened the door wider.
"Please, come in. Did you come here for something?"
"Megumi, get some water for Dad and Uncle," she added.
"…Fine."
Megumi obeyed, but the way he glared at Toji made it obvious he didn't trust him. He was worried this unfamiliar "dad" would cause trouble—maybe even try to split him and Tsumiki apart.
Shinsuke waved a hand. "Relax. Starting today, your dad will live here with you two. Whatever you need, just ask him. If you're short on money, hit him up. If you're hungry, make him cook.
"And if he refuses, come find me. I'll straighten him out for you."
Megumi and Tsumiki both froze, stunned.
"Eh?"
"Oi, oi, oi—who said you get to decide that?" Toji growled, annoyed.
"Because I'm your older brother. Got a problem with that?" Shinsuke shot back without hesitation.
"This isn't up for discussion. If I hear you let these two suffer even a little, you'd better be ready to get your ass kicked."
Then, with a casual kick to Toji's leg, he barked, "What are you standing there for? Go cook!"
"…Tch."
Grumbling, Toji shuffled into the kitchen. His face was sour, but deep down, he didn't dare defy Shinsuke.
The scene stirred up old memories—of being bossed around and beaten as a kid.
"Never refuse when your big brother tells you to do something," Shinsuke reminded him coolly.
"…Why not?" Toji muttered.
"Because I'm your big brother. And if you say no… you get beaten."